Shawsknowe, Maybole, South Ayrshire, KA19 7QG

A charming smallholding in an attractive and accessible location surrounded by rolling Ayrshire countryside

Location

Shawsknowe is situated within a scenic part of South Ayrshire on the west coast of Scotland, near to the picturesque villages of Crosshill and Straiton and about 15 miles south of Ayr. The area is within the Galloway and Southern Ayrshire UNESCO Biosphere and is renowned for its active farming community, as well as its environment, country sport and leisure opportunities.   

The property enjoys a prime position within the rural landscape, surrounded by picturesque farmland, forestry and a small nature reserve. Local services are available in Crosshill (2.7 miles) which has a village shop/Post Office and primary school, whilst Straiton (4.3 miles) also has a village shop and primary school.   Secondary schooling and further amenities are found in Maybole (5.7 miles).

The county town of Ayr (15 miles) is a short drive and provides a wide range of high street shops and supermarkets, schooling (including private co-education at Wellington), banking and professional services. There is an excellent range of restaurants and a variety of sports and recreational facilities including Ayr’s first class racecourse which is the home of the Scottish Grand National meeting held annually in spring. The Scottish Rural University College (SRUC) and University of the West of Scotland (UWS) share a state of the art campus in Ayr town centre. Craig Wilson’s livestock market is situated only 7 miles away to the east of Ayr bypass.

The Ayrshire coast is renowned worldwide for its golfing, with championship courses at nearby Turnberry, Prestwick and Royal Troon. There is also a wealth of opportunities for outdoor enthusiasts and families.   Culzean Castle and Country Park (run by the National Trust for Scotland) is a short drive away, and the Galloway Forest Park (one of only four national parks in the western world to have official Dark Sky status) is an area of outstanding natural beauty and offers excellent walking, mountain biking and fishing. The southwest of Scotland is also noted for its field sports, including pheasant, partridge and grouse shooting as well as red, roe and fallow deer stalking. Only a short distance to the north is the popular sailing area of the Firth of Clyde with yachting marinas at Troon, and further up the coast at Largs and Inverkip.
Prestwick Airport is about 3 miles to the north of Ayr and has services to various European destinations. Glasgow Airport (54 miles) and Edinburgh Airport (88 miles) provide a wide range of domestic, European and international flights. Cairnryan lies around 36 miles to the southwest and is the main ferry terminal for Northern Ireland with services to both Larne and Belfast.

Description

Shawsknowe is accessed via a private tarred driveway, lined with an avenue of trees which creates a pleasant approach to the property. The holding extends to about 67 acres with a south facing house providing attractive views over a stream and to the farmland beyond. There are traditional outbuildings by the house which provide excellent potential for further development or diversification. The property has low running costs thanks to private water and solar panels, and there is potential for income from the land via Basic Payment and seasonal grazing lets.

The farmhouse is of traditional stone and slate construction. The house has been renovated over the course of the last two years including a new roof, internal wall and roof insulation, solar panels/battery and a new kitchen. The accommodation is arranged over two floors with all rooms benefitting from the outstanding southerly views.

A small side porch leads to the dining kitchen which features an L-shaped range of modern kitchen units including a Quooker boiling water tap, an integrated dishwasher and fridge freezer. There is also a Bush range cooker with electric oven, gas hob and extractor over. The adjacent living room, benefits from a 7.5kW multifuel stove. A large open hallway provides an additional area for reading and relaxing, and off the hall are the front porch, principal bedroom and a large family bathroom (with four piece suite and shower) completing the ground floor accommodation. On the upper floor there are two further bedrooms with dormer windows taking in the view. A lean-to utility room (accessible externally only) has some further units with under counter fridge freezer and washing machine as well as housing the oil-fired boiler and a WC.

The house is surrounded by well-maintained grounds with colourful shrubbery and features a range of traditional outbuildings, a modern portal framed shed and a garage/wood store to the rear and side of the house. A meandering burn with a small stone built bridge over adds to the idyllic setting.

Buildings – Situated to the north of the house, there is a traditional range of outbuildings which provide storage and livestock accommodation and could easily be used for equestrian purposes. The outbuildings have been rewired and LED lighting installed throughout. There is a 6.8kW solar panel installation on the outbuildings with a 5.2kW battery providing the property with a self-sufficient electricity supply. Any surplus energy is sold back to the grid.

A steel portal framed shed similarly could be adapted for a variety of alternative uses. The buildings are in good order and provide excellent alternative opportunities, including redevelopment to residential or holiday use (subject to consent).   

To the west of the house is a double garage and adjoining wood store with modern up and over doors. There is also a partly ruinous former mill adjoining, next to an orchard, woodland and pond.

Farmland – The farmland extending to 67.01 acres (27.12 hectares) is currently all down to grass interspersed with small areas of woodland, and is classified as predominantly Class 4 by the James Hutton Institute. The land is split into 14 enclosures with post and wire fencing, stone dykes and a private water supply. The farm has been run as a sheep enterprise over the last 13 years and maintained in good heart.

Acreage: 67 Acres

Directions

From Ayr, head south on the A77 towards Maybole. Shortly after entering the town, turn left on to the B7023 and keep travelling on this road passing straight through Crosshill village, shortly after which there is a crossroads junction. Pass straight over and bear right when the road forks a short distance on (approximately 500m). Follow this road and you will see the turning to Shawsknowe on the left hand side (there is a farm sign). The postcode is KA19 7QG. What3words: silent.really.flagpole.